Sietas delivers first type 176

The German heavy lift shipping company Schiffahrtskontor Altes Land GmbH & Co. KG (SAL) has named the first of eight new heavy lift vessels to be built by the German yard of Sietas. Named ?Frauke?, the vessel of type 176, with an unrivalled speed of 20 knots and a combined crane capacity of 1400 tonnes SWL, will also be the first new building to be delivered to the Joint Venture between SAL and K-Line, collectively called SAL. This vessel will be followed by three sister vessels which will enter the market during 2008.

The comprehensive new building program will be further expanded in 2010, when another four new buildings of type 179 are added to the SAL heavy-lift fleet. These vessels will be equipped with two cranes of 1,000 tonnes SWL each. The high lifting capacity of 2,000 tonnes SWL, an unobstructed working deck of 135 x 27.50 m, an on/under deck area of 7000 m2, a speed of 20 knots and a Dynamic Positioning System (DP Class II), make these newbuildings unique in the heavy-lift/offshore market.

With a DP system in place, the vessels’ manoeuvrability will be maximized in offshore operations, where accurate positioning is of utmost importance. The DP system will allow these vessels to provide a combination of both transportation and construction/installation services to the oil and gas sector including subsea operations. Furthermore, all vessels will feature additional accommodation and a helideck for flexible crew change.

The unrivalled combination of high capacity cranes, vast cargo carrying capacity and DP 2 system means that SAL, with these vessels, will be in a strong position to offer to the oil and gas sector a unique solution to project execution.

In addition, the new buildings will further pursue SAL?s dedication to a safe and environmentally friendly environment on board and will be equipped with an environmental passport encompassing a ballast water management plan and a biological sewage treatment plan. In addition, the vessels will have a rubbish recycling system on board which will prevent any waste from being discharged at sea and all units will also be equipped with a chemical dosing center.